Peter Singer

Peter Singer

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Peter Singer has been described as the world’s most influential philosopher. Born in Melbourne in 1946, he has been professor of bioethics at Princeton University since 1999. His many books include Animal Liberation - often credited with triggering the modern animal rights movement - Practical Ethics, The Life You Can Save, The Most Good You Can Do, and Ethics in the Real World. In 2023, he published Animal Liberation Now, a fully revised and updated version of the 1975 original.

Singer’s writings have also inspired the movement known as effective altruism, and he is the founder of the charity The Life You Can Save. In 2021 he was awarded the $1 million Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture, which he donated to nonprofit organizations working for the causes he supports. In 2023 he received the Frontiers of Knowledge Prize for the Humanities, from the Spanish BBVA Foundation.

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4mins
"If we did create beings that were more like non-human animals, we ought to treat them much better than we now treat non-human animals."
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20mins
“Even if there are beliefs that we hold that are true, if we prevent people challenging those beliefs, we will lose our understanding of why they're true.”
An older man sits on a chair in front of a white backdrop, surrounded by rows of hanging beef carcasses in a meat processing facility.
1hr 55mins
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s about reducing suffering where we can, and right now, we’re choosing not to.”
Yellow book cover titled "Consider the Turkey" by Peter Singer, featuring a red illustration of a turkey—perfect for Thanksgiving reading.
Philosopher Peter Singer argues it's time to examine a morally dubious practice.
A broken glass with the words contradictory ideas.
6mins
Ideas that seem wildly controversial today may move humanity towards progress. Philosopher Peter Singer asks —how do we keep them from being stifled?
A group of sheep in a barn with a green arrow in front of them.
4mins
Can AI and animals coexist? Philosopher Peter Singer gives us a nuanced take on the issue.
An older man pondering with his hand on his chin, contemplating effective altruism.
8mins
Effective altruism isn’t just for the rich. Philosopher Peter Singer shares how we can all be better at doing “good.”
a large group of pigs in a pen.
Within a month of that initial conversation, Peter Singer became a vegetarian.
2mins
Philosopher Peter Singer broaches an uncomfortable truth about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and GoFundMe pages.
7mins
Deciding how we ought to live is one of the greatest challenges of being alive. Ask yourself these important questions to gain clarity, with philosopher Peter Singer.
5mins
There are many different ways of helping people in extreme poverty. Philosopher Peter Singer explains how you can do it.
4mins
Perhaps sooner than we think, we'll need to examine the moral standing of intelligent machines.
6mins
Our personal choices can help to effectively combat poverty, says Peter Singer.
Peter Singer:  There’s been an enormous amount of changing forces on warfare in the twenty-first century.  And they range from new actors in war like private contractors, the black waters […]
3mins
The philosopher thinks that parents of babies that have the more severe variances of diseases like spina bifida should have the right to end their child’s life “swiftly and humanely.”
1mins
The philosopher Peter Singer discusses the dilemma of seeking a life without pain.
5mins
Peter Singer tackles poverty and the environment.
7mins
The philosopher discusses his controversial ideas about handicapped children.
2mins
The philosopher Peter Singer discusses morality and enlightened self-interest.